Holguin, Cuba

Holguín is one of the provinces of Cuba, the third most populous after Havana and Santiago de Cuba. It lies in the southeast of the country. Its major cities include Holguín (the capital), Banes, Antilla, Mayarí, and Moa. The province has a population of slightly over one million people. Its territory exceeds 9,300 km2 (3,600 sq mi), 25 percent of which are covered by forest. Christopher Columbus landed in what is believed to have been today's Holguín province on October 27, 1492. He declared that it was "the most beautiful country human eyes had ever seen". The Holguín province was established in 1978, when it was split from the Oriente region. Like much of Cuba, Holguín's economy is based around sugarcane, though other crops such as corn and coffee, as well as mining, are also large earners for the province.

A large cobalt processing plant with shipping facilities was built at Moa, using foreign investment, much of it from Canada. Chromium, nickel, iron and steel plants dot the province as well. The province of Holguín is the third biggest one in Cuba and as the years go by it has become one of the main industrial areas of the island. The beauty of its fields and beaches has turned this province into the third touristic pole of the country. Holguín covers lengthwise the different municipalities which compose it imposing natural parks, such as the Cristóbal Colón Natural Park which, at the same time, hosts perfect natural enclosure for the ecotourism as it can be the Bariay National Monument or the Naranjo Bay Park.

In the capital city, also named Holguín, you will appreciate a rich architectural structure which goes back to the 19th century, such as La Periquera, the Calixto García Park, the San Isidoro Cathedral or the Julio Grave de Peralta Park, among many other historical places in the city.

In the city of Gibara, you cannot miss visiting the Villa de Gibara, where it is still preserved its fascinating colonial structure and is kept in good condition the only Stately Home from the colonial age in the whole province of Holguín. This charming Villa hosts each year the Cine Pobre Film Festival, one of the most awaited Gibarense events.

Other important places are the Finca Mayabe Ranch or La Loma de la Cruz Hill, both close to Holguín. Another important areas are the ones of Birán, birth city of Fidel and Raúl Castro Ruz; or Banes, also known as the archeological capital of Cuba, which counts with imposing archeological remains and with perfect natural spaces to get in touch with nature.

For the sun and beach lover, along the different areas of Holguín, you have the possibility of enjoying delightful beaches such as Playa Esmeralda Beach, Playa Pesquero Beach or Playa Guardalavaca Beach where you can do different aquatic activities, among many other. You can also visit the Green Reservation Playa de Caletones Beach, in which salty natural pools have created due to old landslides from some galleries.

The province of Holguín has a huge cultural wealth and samples of this are the ton of events celebrated along the year in institutions such as the Casa de la Trova ‘El Guabayabero’ House, to perpetuate the Cuban music; the Cine Pobre Film Festival in Gibara, or the cultural activities promoted by the different municipalities. Furthermore, among the most outstanding activities of Holguín, you will find the Carnival Festivity, which takes place in the third week of August.

Tourism has only recently begun to be developed, offering beach resorts in the outskirts of the region, with a number of hotels around the Guardalavaca area, Playa Pesquero, and Cayo Saetia. The Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve Sierra Cristal National Park and Alejandro de Humboldt National Park are partly located in the province. Recently a large number of tourists are being reported to have had visited the city and its rich culture and beauty